These lively clubs in Los Angeles are essential stops on your next weekend night. From Latin music to EDM, you'll never miss an opportunity to dance the night away.
Jamie Ferrell•
The best clubs in L.A. are as diverse and energetic as the city itself, and the success of an epic night out often depends on where you choose to go. Here we’ve picked out some of the city’s most essential nightclubs, whether you’re looking for a big EDM dance floor, a vibey late-night lounge, or a hoppin’ Latin club in Los Angeles. Read on for our favorites and start planning your weekend.
What time do clubs close in Los Angeles? Most L.A. nightclubs close around 2 to 3am, but hours vary depending on special events or days of the week. We’ve included each location’s ballpark opening hours.
What about cover charge and dress code? The cover charge and and dress code vary at each of these locations. We’ve included each spot’s usual protocol below, but be sure to check their individual websites for day-to-day details. It’s worth buying tickets in advance across the board, especially for big-name performers.
1. Avalon
This historic L.A. nightclub has stood on the corner of Hollywood and Vine since 1927. The state-of-the-art space has been carefully restored to have excellent sound, lighting, and visuals, and the music varies but often centers on EDM. Avalon has an “upscale casual” dress code, so no beach clothing, shorts, sandals, or baseball hats. It’s 21+ on Fridays and Saturdays, verified via ID at the door.
💸Cover charge: $20-40
🗓️ Opening hours: 10am-5pm weekdays, 10pm-3am Fridays-Saturdays
📍Location: 1735 Vine St, Los Angeles
2. Academy
Academy is one of the best clubs in Los Angeles for EDM lovers, courtesy of promoter Insomniac. The newly-renovated venue uses a cutting-edge Funktion-One sound system, 145 curved LED ceiling panels, and 55 moving lights to create the ultimate immersive dance experience. When you’re ready for some air, you can take a break on one of the two patio spaces. The 21+ club enforces an “upscale” dress code, so avoid sandals, shorts, tank tops, and sports wear.
💸Cover charge: $20-50
🗓️ Opening hours: Fridays-Saturdays, 10pm-3am
📍Location: 6021 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
3. Sound
This 8,000-square-foot Hollywood nightclub is an exciting venue to enjoy deep house and techno on a crystal-clear Pioneer sound system. The space is taken up a notch with 3D projection mapping and other visual elements that pair beautifully with the unbelievable sound quality. Sound is a 21+ club enforcing a “smart casual” dress code, so make sure you avoid sweatpants, shorts, beachwear, jerseys, and athletic clothing.
💸Cover charge: $20-30
🗓️ Opening hours: Tuesday 9pm-2am, Thursday 10pm-2am, Friday-Saturday 10pm-3am
📍Location: 1642 N Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles
4. La Cita
La Cita is a dive bar by day and one of the most popular Latin clubs in Los Angeles by night. The current owners bought the space in 2006, but it’s been an iconic destination for over 4 decades. Keep an eye on the weekly calendar to see what music is playing, as it could range from reggaeton to cumbia to merengue. Enjoy a casual dress code and environment at this 21+ location.
💸Cover charge: $10-25
🗓️ Opening hours: Weekdays 11am-2am, Friday-Saturday 10am-2am
📍Location: 336 S Hill St, Los Angeles
5. Lounge at The Highlight Room
The Dream Hollywood’s 11,000-square-foot rooftop is a coveted nightclub space playing mainly top 40 songs, hip hop, and some EDM. Enjoy panoramic views of L.A. from 10 stories up, including glimpses of the Hollywood Sign and Downtown. This is a 21+ venue where people dress to impress, so leave your casual clothes at home.
💸Cover charge: No cover, bottle service only. Entry at doorman’s discretion.
🗓️ Opening hours: Friday-Saturday, 11pm-2am
📍Location: 10th floor, 6417 Selma Ave, Los Angeles
6. Warwick
This stylish Hollywood lounge is the perfect blend of glamorous and indie with vibey low lighting and sprawling sofas. You’ll need to abide by a more formal dress code and pay for bottle service to get in here, but keep an eye out for celebs. Enjoy Open Format music from local DJs and sip on specialty craft co*cktails served tableside.
💸Cover charge: No cover, bottle service only
🗓️ Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10pm-2am
📍Location: 6507 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles
7. La Descarga
Step into a vintage Havana burlesque lounge at La Descarga, a Cuban-themed club in L.A. with sultry performers and delicious handcrafted co*cktails. In a true ode to the times, there’s even a sexy Cuban cigar lounge where you can try high-quality imported cigars. Guests are expected to dress to the nines at La Descarga — think co*cktail dresses, heels, tucked-in collared button-downs, and dress shoes.
💸Cover charge: $20
🗓️ Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 8pm-2am
📍Location: 1159 N Western Ave, Los Angeles
8. Boardner’s by LaBelle
Boardner’s is an old-school nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard dating back to 1927. You might recognize it from some iconic movies and TV shows including Beverly Hills 90210, Gone Girl, True Blood, and How to Get Away with Murder. Dance to the most popular modern music on the huge recently-expanded dance floor and take a breather in the courtyard around the building’s original Moroccan tile fountain. The dress code and cover charge vary depending on the night, with themes including Blue Mondays and Club Decades on Fridays.
💸Cover charge: Cover charge varies
🗓️ Opening hours: Open 5pm-2am daily
📍Location: 1652 N Cherokee Ave, Los Angeles
9. Bootsy Bellows
Bootsy Bellows is a decadent 1940s-inspired lounge from the mind of actor David Arquette and The h.wood Group. This isn’t your typical dark grungy nightclub; rather, the space is decorated with pastel pink and green banquettes and lush greenery. Enjoy popular top-40 music, hip hop, and house; and make sure you dress for a more elegant environment — no sportswear or casual wear allowed.
💸Cover charge: No cover, bottle service only
🗓️ Opening hours: Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday 11pm-2am
📍Location: 9229 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood
10.
Be transported to the French Riviera at this chic Hollywood rooftop decked out in sophisticated tropical decor and leafy green plants. Music genres rotate throughout the week, so on a given night you could stumble into a swanky L.A. jazz club or a fist-pumping local DJ set. The 21+ venue enforces a smart casual dress code, so avoid open-toed sandals, beachwear, and sportswear.
💸Cover charge: No cover charge
🗓️ Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 5pm-12am
📍Location: 1541 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles
See also: The best date ideas in Los Angeles for an unforgettable time
